5,5 magnitude quake rattles Turkey overnight

The locals claim if the tremors had lasted a few more seconds, a lot of buildings might have been destroyed.

ANTALYA (QHA) -

A 5,5 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter located near the town of Demre struck the southern Turkish province of Antalya last night, reports TASS. According to the local authorities, the quake caused neither human casualties nor property damage.

The quake is reported to have struck near the town of Demre, where the Saint Nicholas Church, a popular tourist attraction and pilgrimage site, is located, at 00:27 a.m. local time.

The quake’s focal point was 34 kilometers deep, which is why the tremors were distinctly felt, causing people to leave their dwellings in panic and stay out for fear of aftershocks. The quake was indeed followed by aftershocks of lesser magnitude which lasted until the morning.

The province of Antalya is traditionally believed to be one of the most seismically active regions of the country, with about a dozen earthquakes of small magnitude being registered there on a weekly basis.